Born in the town of Serpukhov, Moscow Region. In 1986, on completing his training at the Moscow Choreographic College (today the Moscow Choreographic Academy ), where he studied in Alexei Zakalinsky‘s final year students‘ class, he joined the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre. At the same time, he appeared in Kremlin Ballet Company productions.
In 1995, Vladimir Vasiliev invited him to join the Bolshoi Ballet Company.
In 2003, he was appointed Bolshoi Theatre Ballet Company leader.

In 1992, he won lst prize at the International Ballet Competition, in Rieti (Italy).
In 1999, he was awarded the title of Merited Artist of the Russian Federation.
In 2004, he received the special jury prize of the Golden Mask National Theatre award (2002/2003 season) for his performance of the role of the Accordion Player (The Bright Stream).